Extraction of 137Cs from Lichen Cetraria islandica with Acidic Solution

Ana A. Čučulović1, Dragan S. Veselinović2, and Šćepan S. Miljanić2

1 INEP Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Zemun, Serbia and Montenegro
2 Faculty of Physical Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro

Corresponding author: Ana A. Čučulović
    INEP Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy
    Banatska 31b
    11080 Zemun, Serbia and Montenegro
    Telephone: +381 11 199 242
    Fax number: +381 618 724
    E-mail: anas@inep.co.yu

CEJOEM 2005, Vol.11. No.4.: 289–292

Key words:
Cetraria islandica, lichen, 137Cs, sorption, extraction

Abstract:
The 137Cs ion activity of the lichen Cetraria islandica and the extent of its elusion in an acidic medium was investigated. Its samples were collected on the Sinjajevina Mountain (Montenegro) in 1994. Their 137Cs activities measured amounted to 2129–3166 Bq/kg dry matter. To extract 137Cs, H2SO4–HNO3–(NH4)2SO4 solution systems were used. At pH 2.00 and 3.75, the total extraction of the radioisotope reached 66.4 and 61.7%, respectively. Taking into account the existence of acidic rains, the results obtained suggest that C. islandica may serve as a source of secondary 137Cs pollution.

Received: 5 December 2005
Accepted: 15 February 2006
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